Accident Details
On March 13, 2009, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a ski-equipped Helio H-295 airplane, registration N6478V, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while laying down tracks to pack snow on the snow-covered terrain prior to landing. The accident occurred at the Stampede airstrip, approximately 42 miles west of Healy, Alaska. The airplane was operated by Wright Air Service, Inc., of Fairbanks, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR), on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight departed Fairbanks, Alaska, about 1510. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured.
Pilot Statement
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on March 14, the pilot reported that he was laying down tracks with the airplane's skis to pack the snow on the airstrip prior to landing. He stated that when the airplane lifted off the snow, the wings encountered high brush, and he pulled back on the elevator control to clear the brush. As he did so, he believed the tail ski contacted the snow and dragged the airplane down into the brush. The pilot indicated there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.
Damage
The fuselage and empennage sustained structural damage during the encounter with brush and terrain.